GTSC's Border Security Symposium

Description

Join us January 22-23, 2026 for GTSC’s 14th Annual Border Security Symposium—our premier deep dive into the missions and priorities of U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP).

For over a decade, this event has brought together government and industry leaders to explore CBP’s critical role in:

• Safeguarding the nation’s borders
• Enhancing trade and travel security
• Leveraging innovative technologies
• Strengthening international partnerships

9:00 AM Welcome & Opening Remarks 

Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO, Government Technology & Services Coalition

Vishal Tulsian, President & Chief Operating Officer, RELI Group

9:15 AM KEYNOTE: Strengthening Accountability & Transparency at America's Borders

Intro: Tish Mossman, Vice President, National Security, RELI Group

Ron Vitiello, Special Advisor to the Commissioner

9:45 AM Fireside Chat: Enabling Legitimate Trade and Ensuring Enforcement

Moderator: Patty Todaro Bolin, CEO, ICS Advisory

Diann Rodriguez, Executive Director, Operations Directorate, Office of Trade

10:15 AM Innovation and AI to Protect the Border and Secure Trade and Travel

Moderator: Joshua Powell, Chief Innovation Officer/Chief AI Officer

Brandon Lord, Executive Director, Trade Policy and Programs Directorate

Erick Reese, Acting Director, CBP Innovation Team

Daniel Tanciar, Deputy Executive Director, Innovation and Strategy Directorate, Office of Field Operations

William Link, Acting Deputy Division Chief, Systems Division, U.S. Border Patrol

11:15 AM Break 

11:30 AM OA Outlook and Organizational Alignment

Intro: Mark Olson, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer, REI Systems

Earl J. Lewis, III, Head of the Contracting Activity, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of Acquisition

Nick Martinelli, Chief of the Contracting Office, Mission Support & Technologies

Judy Simpson, Director, Industry Partnership & Outreach Programs

Stephanie Alexander, Director, Aviation, Maritime & Border Technologies Contracting Division

David Seay, Director, Information Technology Contracting Division

12:30 PM LUNCH

1:30 Modernizing Border Enforcement/cUAS and Emerging Threats 

Erik Sorensen, Assistant Chief, Defense Capability Group/C-UAS Operations Coordinator, U.S. Border Patrol

2:00 PM Anticipating and Confronting Threats at the Border and Beyond 

Troy Johnson, Deputy Executive Director, Domain Awareness Security Operations, Air and Marine Operations

2:30 Adjourn 

9:45 AM Welcome & Opening Remarks 

Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO, Government Technology & Services Coalition

Vishal Tulsian, President & Chief Operating Officer, RELI Group

10:00 AM: Digital Transformation at CBP

Intro: Marc Zoellner, Vice President of Growth, Homeland & National Security, OMNI Federal 

James McCament, Chief Digital Transformation Officer

10:30 AM Enhancing Port Operations with Emerging Technology 

Daniel Tanciar, Deputy Executive Director, Innovation and Strategy Directorate, Office of Field Operations

Matthew Davies, Executive Director, Admissibility and Passenger Programs, Office of Field Operations   

11:00 AM National Targeting Center-Couter Terrorism Mapping the Evolution of Radicalization

Jorge Comas, Director, Counter Network Division, National Targeting Center

11:30 AM Break

11:45 AM Keynote: Enterprise Services Strengthening the Mission

Ntina Cooper, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Enterprise Services

12:15 PM The New Era of Digital Modernization – OIT

Jay Alalasundaram, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Information Technology

12:45 LUNCH

1:45 PM Securing Mission Critical OT in High Threat Environments

Dr. Edward Mays, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of Information Technology

2:15 PM IT Directorate - What’s on the Horizon

Mario Medina, Deputy Executive Director, Targeting and Analysis Systems Program Directorate

Adina Pantella, Executive Director, Passenger Systems Program Directorate

Baibhav Devkota, Executive Director, Border Enforcement Management Systems Directorate

Tom Mills, Executive Director, Cargo Systems Program Directorate

3:15 PM Emerging IT Priorities- How we Functions Integrate across Mission 

Moderator: Sarah Sanchez, Chief Innovation Officer, RELI Group

Sunil Madhugiri, Chief Technology Officer

Michelle Zebrowski, Chief Data Officer

4:00 PM Adjourn 

Thank you to our Sponsors!